Toronto streetcar derails in collision, disrupting service for hours
- Commuter Chaos
-
- FROM: Toronto, Ontario — September 19, 2018
Toronto streetcar service on Queens Quay was shut down for several hours after a light rail vehicle was knocked off the tracks in a collision with an ambulance. Daily Hive Toronto, The Star, and BlogTO report that the collision and derailment, which occurred at 9:55AM eastern time, caused damage to the streetcar as well as several traffic backups in the area.
While no one was hurt, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) service alerts reported that passengers were required to disembark trains and board shuttle buses. Service was not restored until 12:17PM, eastern time. In total, streetcar service was disrupted for more than 2 hours.
There is no service between Spadina Ave. and Union Station for both the 509 and 510 streetcars. Shuttle buses are running. Video editor @kelseyleewilson was on scene. pic.twitter.com/ReUfa6Uynk
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) September 19, 2018
The incident brought out comments from several critics of a recent project which redesigned the streetcar tracks on Queens Quay, with one critic reporting that accidents on Queens Quay happen “all day, every day, 365 days a year”. One critic suggested that streetcars should be slowed down further on Queens Quay.
Derailments would cripple the Surrey LRT
Once again, this incident highlights a major flaw in the proposed Surrey LRT system, which will run at street level on segments of 104th Avenue, King George Boulevard and Fraser Highway. Incidents like this where LRT trains are involved in collisions with vehicles or pedestrians can prove fatal for those who are hit, and generally necessitate complete shut downs of that segment of the LRT system.
A recent video posted by a reporter in Toronto highlighted that the tracks on Queens Quay, despite being completely separated from traffic in dedicated lanes, were frequently being driven on by mistake.
Even professional drivers are making the mistake of entering the #TTC streetcar right of way at Queens Quay and Lower Spadina. #oops The pavement was painted red Tuesday but it’s already smudged with tire marks. pic.twitter.com/cAxLOZfDql
— Kevin Misener (@Kevin_Misener) September 7, 2018
SkyTrain for Surrey has called for the cancellation of the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT project, the conversion of the Surrey-Langley LRT into a SkyTrain extension of the Expo Line, and the construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on King George Boulevard and 104th Avenue (instead of an LRT). With BRT’s ability to detour around accident areas, and SkyTrain’s ability to simply pass overhead, a rapid transit system built on SkyTrain and BRT would not be subject to total disruptions.
Pictured in header: Overhead view of the streetcar crash showing a derailed streetcar
Commuter Chaos
SkyTrain for Surrey is a BC-based community organization that has advocated for the expansion of the Vancouver SkyTrain system, including our successful advocacy for the under-construction Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension.
Commuter Chaos stories are our documentation of the inevitable outcome of choosing an LRT system, especially when it is chosen in place of a SkyTrain or a grade-separated metro.
Media Contact: Daryl Dela Cruz – Founder, SkyTrain for Surrey ・ Phone: +1 604 329 3529, [email protected]
